Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. What is the reasoning behind this?
Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle. The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The Upanishads state that the main prana lives in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.
The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.
The Farmers Almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it. (Source: http://ashtangayogacenter.com/moon-days/)
No morning Mysore/Led on Moon Days.
All evening classes will remain as scheduled.
January
Friday 10 – Full Friday 24 – New
February Sunday 9 – Full Monday 24 – New
March Tuesday 10 – Full Tuesday 24 – New
April Wednesday 8 – Full Thursday 23 – New
May Thursday 7 – Full Friday 22 – New
June Friday 5 – Full Sunday 22 – New |
July
Sunday 5 – Full Tuesday 21 – New
August Tuesday 4 – Full Wednesday 19 – New
September Wednesday 2 – Full Thursday 17 – New
October Friday 2 – Full Friday 16 – New
November Sunday 1 – Full Sunday 15 – New Monday 30 – Full
December Monday 14 – Full Wednesday 30 – New |